Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Actor Robert Z'Dar, the massive man with the gigantic
chin best known for the cult film series "Maniac Cop," died Monday
night in Pensacola after being hospitalized when he came to town to appear at
Pensacon, according to his long-time manager and friend Jim Decker.

Born Robert J. Zdarsky, the 6-foot-2 actor was featured
in more than 121 films, including cult classics like the first three
"Maniac Cop" films, "Soultaker," "The Final
Sanction" and "Samurai Cop" (the sequel to which Z'Dar had been
set to join immediately after Pensacon). He also enjoyed roles in mainstream
hits such as "Tango & Cash" and TV roles on "Growing
Pains" and the 1990 series "The Flash."

Instantly recognizable for his large face and jutting
jaw, his fanbase grew when two of his films, "Soultaker" and
"Future War," were lampooned on "Mystery Science Theater
3000." A staple on the convention scene, he appeared at both of Pensacon's
shows.

Decker said Z'Dar was hospitalized after suffering chest
pains during Pensacon, and was on the mend before going into cardiac arrest
Monday night.

"We talked every day," Decker said. "We've
been together through thick and thin. He was the first actor I took on in my
career as an agent. We spent many weekends on the road together and a lot of
time enjoying each other's company. I miss him dearly."

Decker said Z'Dar continued to be in demand as an actor
and he continued to review scripts up until the last moments of his life. He'd
been looking forward to his role in "Samurai Cop 2" and was eager to
get back to work.

Decker mentioned that prior to his acting career, Z'Dar
played football for Arizona State University, was in a band called Nova Express
and spent time as a Chippendale's dancer.

Pensacon Chairman Mike Ensley said he and other
representatives of Pensacon have been keeping tabs on Z'Dar's condition since
the convention, and that he appeared to be improving before his heart gave out.

"Everyone at Pensacon is very saddened," Ensley
said. "But we are glad he was here and that he didn't pass away
alone."

Decker said that Z'Dar, who was 64, is survived by a
brother, Billy Zdarsky, and a nephew, Matthew. He said those who would like to
send condolences could do so through his email, esotericking@gmail.com.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Delores Anne 'Dorrie' Sheehan Devout Catholic TEWKSBURY --
God gave the world a unique gift when Delores Anne Sidener was born on April
15, 1932 to Marie (Kelly) Sidener (a City of Chicago budget manager) and James
Samuel Sidener (a Chicago Police Officer).

Delores "Dorrie" developed her strong Catholic
faith at her mother's knee and at St. Adrian's school. She was baptized at St.
Adrian's, and received the Sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion, and
Confirmation there. In her teens, she lived in California, where, blessed with
a beautiful and powerful Coloratura Soprano voice, she sang professionally with
the Greek Theater. Her goal was to sing with Las Calla or the Metropolitan
Opera. Before that could happen, however, she was discovered by a Hollywood
talent scout, and was signed by Columbia Studios.

She attended Hollywood Professional School while playing
the female lead in two Western Movies "Pecos River" with Jock Mahoney
and John Penn; and "Barbed Wire", with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnett,
and a comedy, "Sound Off" opposite Mickey Rooney.

During the Korean War, she entertained our troops and
worked in bond drives to support the war effort.

Later, she returned to Chicago, where she became one of
that city's top-ten fashion and photographers' models.

At West Point in 1954, she met Cadet Donald Sheehan. For
four years he courted her during his Christmas and summer leaves, and during
Air Force pilot training after graduation.

Dorrie returned to West Point for Don's graduation in
1956, sharing with him and his family the many events of June Week including a
visit to Flirtation Walk on his last day as a cadet, and pinning his Second
Lieutenant bar on his shoulder on graduation day. Don gave her a star on
December 23, 1957, and they were married at St. Adrian's on the fourth
anniversary of their meeting.

They were separated by Don's assignment to Korea 77 days
after their wedding, but Dorrie joined him a year later for duty in Japan.
There they enjoyed a two year second honeymoon, absorbed Japanese culture, and
brought their first two daughters, Maria Anastasia and Maria Gabrielle into the
world.

Dorrie became a gourmet cook under the tutelage of the
Benedictine Nuns in Tokyo. She became Don's inspiration as he studied for a
master's degree in English at the University of Illinois (1962-63). There she
gave birth to Maria Christina. With masters' degree in hand, Dorrie and Don and
their three babies drove to Colorado for service in the English Department
faculty at the Air Force Academy. Dorrie personified the virtues and attributes
of Air Force wife and mother. She gave birth to Maria Mia in 1964, to Michael
in 1965, and Matthew John in 1966, and taught her children the tenets of her
Catholic faith.

In 1967, Dorrie lived in the Philippine Islands, while
Don flew tactical airlift missions during the Vietnam War. At the end of that
assignment, they returned to the Air Force Academy English Department, and Adam
Francis was born in 1970.

In 1973, the nine Sheehan's moved to Alaska, where Don
flew C-130 aircraft. Dorrie moved her family to Tewksbury for Don's service as
Commander of Air Force ROTC Detachment 345 at the UMASS-Lowell.

For 38 years, Dorrie and Don lived in Tewksbury, where
their children grew in grace and wisdom, completing their college degrees,
marrying, and raising eighteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Throughout their 55 years of marriage, Dorrie exemplified
the finest virtues of a Catholic lady, wife, mother, and grandmother. The needs
of her family always came first, before any personal considerations. She led by
example, guiding her children in developing Catholic values. Dorrie helped her
children develop self-confidence and respect for others. She was the architect
of her family's prayer life and the matriarch of Sidener/Sheehan family
traditions. Her children and grandchildren emulated her virtues as well as the
values of patriotism, integrity, honesty, and humility.

Her many talents and skills included home decor, unique
gastronomic excellence, creative acrylic and water color painting, and
unmatched devotion to God and her family. In her recovery from three near-fatal
automobile accidents, she displayed courage and discipline beyond the call of
duty. In extended therapy to regain her mobility, she demonstrated quiet and
powerful leadership.

Dorrie brought indescribable joy to Don, her family, and
friends all the days of her life.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2015, the Loving God Who gave her
life, called her home to join her Mom, Dad, sisters, Mary Sidener and Suzanne
Kennedy, and brother, Sonny Sidener.

Mother of Stacy Decker of Lowell, Gigi Hovanec and her
husband, George of Dracut, Chris Vecchi and her husband, Dennis of Andover, Mia
Primeaux and her husband, Christopher of Lake Charles, LA, Michael A. Sheehan
and his wife, Doreen of Derry, NH, Matthew J. Sheehan and his wife, Lisa of
Chelmsford, and Adam F. Sheehan of Derry, NH. She also leaves 18 grandchildren,
four great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

SHEEHAN -- Delores Anne "Dorrie" (Sidener).
Visitation at the foot of the altar at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 198
Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, is Today, Friday, March 27, from 7-9 p.m. Holy
Mass celebrating her Catholic life will be held Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m.
in St. Robert's Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In
lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project,
www.woundedwarriorproject.org, P.O. Box 78517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to Poor
Clares of Andover, 445 River Rd., Andover, MA 01810, would be gratefully
appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, Tewksbury.
www.farmeranddee.com

The announcer and radio actress Madrid Matilde Conesa,
who gave voice to the breakdown Witch "Crystal Ball" and Angela
Channing in Falcon Crest TV series, died Sunday at age 86.

Matilde Conesa was born in Madrid in 1928, began her
career with small roles in film and as an announcer on Radio SEU after Youth
Radio.In 1948 she was hired at Radio
Madrid for the picture of actors who then conducted National episodes.

Her first soap opera was ''Un clavel en el frac', and
later became famous first as a radio serial actress at the time of the
"boom" of radio-fifties.

She played mostly dramatic roles but also made ​​some
comedies, as Sister St. Sulpice brothers Alvarez Quintero, and the famous
Matilde, Perico and Periquín evening series.

Other successful series were ‘Lo que nunca muere’, ‘Ama
rosa’ and ‘La dama de las camelias’, always in the company of the late Pedro
Pablo Ayuso.

At the same time she was ​​dubbing films and television
series put her voice to the mothers of "En familia" and ‘Vicki el
vickingo’.

She remained in Radio Madrid until 1985, when ended the
famous Los Porretas series, and then went on to collaborate with TVE in ‘The
Crystal Ball’ series that lasted until 1988, and "The Leper Bishop,"
another serial in which she acted in person for the first time.

Shee won several awards, including the Actors Union, the
Special Award A Life of dubbing (2006) and several Ondas Awards (1955, 1971,
1999).

Her latest award, the Gold Medal of the Academy of Radio,
was obtained in February 2014

She was the widow of Julio Montijano, who was also an actor
in radio. They had a daughter Carolina who also is dedicated to dubbing.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Norwegian actor Fred Robsahm died at
his Lillesand home on March 26th. He was 71. Born Frederick Otto
Robsahm on June 29, 1943 in Lillesand, Aust-Agder, Norway he was the younger
brother of actress Margarete Robsahm [1942- ]. Fred was famous for his role in
Barbarella (1968) with Jane Fonda and John Philip Law. He went on to make only
12 films, among which were three Euro-westerns: “Bandidos” (1967), “No Room to
Die” (1969) and “Black Killer” (1971). He was married for fifteen years to
Italian actress Agostina Belli [1947- ]. In the late 1980s Fred was arrested as
a passenger on a boat carrying drugs. While in prison he contacted the HIV
virus from a needle used to sedate the prisoners. The drugs he took to fight
the HIV virus caused many side effects so he left the world he knew and bought
a sailboat and started to sail the world. In 1992 he started drinking heavily
and developed liver failure. For years he lived in an apartment in Lillesand on
a disability pension.

About Me

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1946 I have a BA degree in American History from Cal St. Northridge. I've been researching the American West and western films since the early 1980s and visiting filming sites in Spain and the U.S.A. Elected a member of the Spaghetti Western Hall of Fame 2010.